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From Shelf to Skin: Tracing Microplastic Contamination in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products across Türkiye
Summary
Researchers tested 79 personal care products sold in Türkiye — shampoos, shower gels, peeling gels, and toothpastes — and found microplastics in most categories, with shower gels containing the highest levels. Plastic fibers were the most common type found, while microbeads were rare and appeared in only one brand, suggesting that bead bans may be having some effect. The study highlights that people are routinely applying microplastic-containing products directly to their skin, and calls for standardized testing methods and stronger international regulations.
This study investigates microplastic content in 79 personal care and cosmetic products (PCCPs)-shampoos, shower gels, peeling gels, and toothpastes-from various commercial brands in Türkiye, each analyzed through multiple extractions. Microplastics were identified using stereomicroscopy, Nile Red staining for fluorescence-based screening, and confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. Shower gels contained the highest levels, while no microplastics were detected in toothpastes. Two types of microplastics -fibers and microbeads- were found, with fibers most common in shower gels (46%), followed by peeling gels (40%) and shampoos (14%). Polyethylene-based microbeads appeared only in one shower gel brand. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between product types (p < 0.05). FTIR analysis revealed that bead-like particles in peeling gels and toothpastes were primarily silica- or cellulose-based. Findings suggest a declining trend in plastic microbeads, possibly influenced by global awareness and policy changes. The study highlights the lack of standardized methodologies in PCCP microplastic research and calls for harmonized international regulations to reduce environmental contamination and ecological risks.